Effect of Frozen Storage on the Gel-forming Properties of Hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae)

The possibility of using frozen hoki to make surimi was investigated. At intervals, fish were thawed under controlled conditions and gels were then made from minces of the flesh. Both puncture and torsion tests showed the quality of gels declined with duration of storage of frozen hoki. This decline was matched by a decrease in pH and an increase in formaldehyde concentration in the frozen flesh. The data suggest a land-based surimi plant could not be operated outside the harvesting season to any appreciable extent using frozen hoki stored at -29°C.     

Non-linear systems identification using radial basis functions

This paper investigates the identification of discrete-time non-linear systems using radial basis functions. A forward regression algorithm based on an orthogonal decomposition of the regression matrix is employed to select a suitable set of radial basis function centers from a large number of possible candidates and this provides, for the first time, fully automatic selection procedure for identifying parsimonious radial basis function models of structure-unknown non-linear systems. The relationship between neural networks and radial basis functions is discussed and the application of the algorithms to real data is included to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.     

Effect of irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological and sensory quality of pork stored at refrigeration temperatures

The effect of combining low-dose irradiation (1.75 kGy) with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the microbiological and sensory quality of pork chops stored at refrigeration temperatures was studied. The microflora of irradiated MAP pork was almost exclusively composed of lactic acid bacteria, predominantly Lactobacillus spp. Modified atmospheres containing either 25 or 50% CO₂, balance N₂, resulted in the best microbial control in irradiated pork held at 4°C, compared to an unirradiated MAP control, and these atmospheres were subsequently used in sensory studies. The atmosphere containing 25% CO₂ 75% N₂ maintained the uncooked colour and odour of irradiated pork chops more effectively than 50% CO₂ 50% N₂. Therefore packaging in a modified atmosphere containing 25% CO₂, balance N₂, followed by irradiation to a dose of 1.75 kGy is recommended to improve the microbiological and sensory quality of pork chops.     

MODEL REFERENCE ADAPTIVE CONTROL BASED ON LIAPUNOV'S DIRECT METHOD Part II: Hybrid Computer Simulation and Experimental Application

A Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) system is evaluated via hybrid computer simulation and experimental application to a computer-controlled, pilot plant evaporator. In both the simulation and experimental studies, the MRAC system performed well and was insensitive to unmeasured process disturbances, to the choice of the initial control policy and to changes in plant operating conditions. In addition to providing an algorithm for adapting control systems to accommodate changing process parameters, MRAC also provides a systematic approach for tuning or developing multivariable control systems for time-invariant processes.     

Migration Losses in Single-Crystal Ionic Conductors: Sodium Beta Alumina and

Dispersions have been observed in the ac conductivity of 2 single-crystal ionic conductors, Na β -alumina and LiGaO₂. The results have been analyzed in the complex modulus formalism, M °, where M °= (ε°)⁻¹. It is suggested that these dispersions represent conductivity losses and are similar to those observed in glasses. The losses are related to the mechanism of ion migration and may be a characteristic feature of many ionically conducting crystalline materials.     

CONTRIBUTIONS OF PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES TO ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT POTENTIAL.

THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES TO ASSESSMENT-CENTER STAFF EVALUATIONS AND THE RELATIONSHIPS OF PROJECTIVE VARIABLES TO PROGRESS IN MANAGEMENT ARE PRESENTED. THE PROJECTIVE DATA WERE OBTAINED BY CODING REPORTS WRITTEN BY A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST FROM 3 PROJECTIVE INSTRUMENTS. ANALYSES OF THE DATA SHOW THAT THE PROJECTIVE REPORTS PARTICULARLY INFLUENCED THE ASSESSMENT STAFF IN RATING SUCH CHARACTERISTICS AS WORK MOTIVATION, PASSIVITY, AND DEPENDENCY. IN ADDITION, SEVERAL OF THE PROJECTIVE VARIABLES ARE RELIABLY RELATED TO PROGRESS IN MANAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY THOSE PERTAINING TO LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION. THE FINDINGS CLEARLY INDICATE THAT RELEVANT INFORMATION ON MANAGERIAL MOTIVATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PROJECTIVE REPORTS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MULTIVARIABLE CONSTRAINED ADAPTIVE GPC: THEORY AND EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION

This paper deals with on-line identification and constrained long-range predictive control of multivariable systems. It extends a recently proposed augmented upper diagonal factorization identification (AUDI) algorithm to identify input–output models of multivariable systems with distinct time delays. The multi-input, multi-output (MIMO AUDI) algorithm can simultaneously identify the process model order and process parameters. The MIMO AUDI algorithm is implemented by decomposing a MIMO system into as many multi-input, single-output (MISO) subsystems as the number of outputs and then identifying each MISO subsystem separately. The performance of the new MIMO AUDI algorithm is demonstrated by application to input–output data from a real process. The extension of this algorithm by incorporating a variable forgetting factor with a lower bound in its value is implemented on real plant data to demonstrate ‘alertness’ of the estimator. This paper evaluates the performance of the MIMO adaptive generalized predictive control algorithm with and without constraints by experimental application on a computer-interfaced, pilot-scale process. The MIMO adaptive GPC is shown to have good regulatory plus servo-tracking properties. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An appraisal of ultramicrotomy, FIBSEM and cryogenic FIBSEM techniques for the sectioning of biological cells on titanium substrates for TEM investigation

Ultramicrotomy, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIBSEM) and cryogenic FIBSEM (cryo-FIBSEM) techniques, as developed for the controlled cross-sectioning of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human osteoblasts (HObs) on titanium (Ti) substrates for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation, are compared. Conventional ultramicrotomy has been used to section cells on Ti-foil substrates embedded in resin, but significant problems with cell detachment using this technique restricted its general applicability. Conventional FIBSEM 'lift-out' procedures were found to be effective for the preparation of uniform sections of fixed and dehydrated cell/Ti specimens, but the control of cell staining remains an issue. Cryo-FIBSEM procedures used with an 'H-bar' sample geometry enabled the sectioning of fixed and hydrated cell/Ti specimens, but issues remain over ion beam-induced artefacts and control of frost on the sample foils.